Product Description

Arthur E. Faxe, the eccentric entrepreneur and amateur archaeologist, sails this
month for ancient Mesopotamia in search of human fossils and in the hope of proving
the Darwinian Theory of Evolution. Faxe has chosen a region of the Tigris-Euphrates
Valley known since ancient times as Vages for the site of his expedition. This
area is distinguished by an immense and prominent boulder that can be seen for
miles and is known locally as the Rock of Vages. A small cleft, or opening, at
the base of the rock is the site of an unusual collection of fossils. The cleft,
discovered in 1854 by French archaeologist, Henri Formie, is described in scientific
literature as Rock of Vages, Cleft Formie. By arrangement with the local government,
Faxe and his entourage will establish an extensive camp in an abandoned military
fort near the archaeological site and overlooking the Tigris River.

Faxe advises, "We are endeavoring to locate evidence in fossil form of the
existence of an ancient human or near-human ancestor. I have spared no expense
to see that my staff and guests are provided with the most modern of equipment
necessary for their research and the essentials necessary for their comfort."

Purveyors of goods to the expedition advise that no less than fifty cases of
fine wines and champagnes will accompany Faxe along with appropriate linen, silver
and china, tables, chairs, canopies and tents, as well as a quantity of armaments
for hunting and defense against bands of brigands which are known to roam the
area. A domestic staff of thirty will be on hand, as well as an archaeological
research team of seven.

The expedition, by arrangement with the Turkish government, will occupy an
old fortress situated near the site of the dig. The fort, unused by the present
government but once a key military post, is called Fort Ap Aachih.

TERRA SUNDER
Terra is Art E. Faxe's daughter. Beautiful and enthusiastic, she enjoys the social
status conferred by her father's wealth and fame to the fullest. Life is a constant
round of gala events and balls. Terra has taken an active interest in the theater,
the arts and music. She has also enjoyed surprising success in designing fashionable
lingerie for her friends, which she blushingly markets under the name "Terra Sunder
Wear." Though married a few years ago, Terra now lives apart from her husband,
Castor Sunder. She is close to her father and insisted on joining him at the expedition
site, much to his pleasure.Costume Suggestion: Dressy attire which possibly shows off a bit of her lingerie.

MAJOR GENERAL E. B. SAWTEDD
A soldier of considerable experience and skill, the Major General is a veteran
of numerous military actions. During a previous command, he led his troops on
a forced march across miles of desolate wilderness to bring relief to a besieged
British regiment surrounded by revolting native hordes. He has just returned from
a lengthy tour of duty in the Punjab, where he distinguished himself in the management
of an unruly local population through frequent application of his favorite disciplinary
device, the bullwhip. The tale of his accomplishments has been set to verse in
the emotionally-charged epic poem, The Empire Stripes Backs, by Lloyd, Alfred
Tenny's son. The Major General is always impeccably attired, sports a monocle
and moustache, and carries a riding crop. Everyone calls him "Sir."Costume Suggestion: Military uniform, sidearm, whip, monocle.

LESTER A. FAYRE
An American railroad tycoon, "Les" is said to be one of the wealthiest men in
the world. He currently heads a coalition of American and European businessmen
who propose to lay a rail line from the Mediterranean to the Tigris-Euphrates
Valley. The railway will provide a direct shipping route for goods that must now
flow downriver into the Persian Gulf before beginning the long journey to the
European markets. Ruthless and calculating, Les is also known as a connoisseur
of fine food and wine and has a particular affection for vintage cognac. Les and
Faxe have participated in several business deals and a close, if competitive,
relationship exists between them.Costume Suggestion: American western wear, six-shooter.

LADY MELLISSA N. LYNKE
Young, vital, enthusiastic and adventuresome, "Missy" is heiress to the Lynke
family fortune. Her father is, of course, Lord Chayne Lynke, Duke of Gayte, a
man of great wealth and renown. She has returned recently from a world tour, by
varied modes of transportation, in wild and remote regions of the globe. Missy
scarcely had time to repack her trunk when she and her friend Ashley decided to
leave for a tour of the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. There, they joined up with the
Faxe expedition where they became entranced with the archaeological project and
have joined eagerly in the work.Costume Suggestion: Colorful and unusal garmets (acquired on her travels).

ANNE T. ICKWITEE
Of ancient English country lineage, the Ickwitees of Barfrumpshire, Anne is a
very unconventional young lady. Her family and friends were startled when she
entered - and won! - the local bathing beauty contest (revealing a scandalous
two inches of ankle). She shocked them even more by distinguishing herself as
an Oxford scholar and graduating from the Women's College with honors. Her interest
in archaeology comes naturally. Her late father, Ian Ickwitee, discovered the
famed Lopswich femur. Anne herself assisted Professor Herman Anasse at the dig
in which he discovered the fossil now known worldwide as the "Jawbone of Anasse."
Anne is participating in the Faxe expedition by special invitation of Art E. Faxe.Costume Suggestion: Khaki clothes or knickerbockers.

HAMILTON MACTORR
Of Scottish parents but orphaned as a baby, "Ham" was raised in England by a maiden
aunt who read to him nightly from the works of Shakespeare, Bacon and the like.
The experience ruined him for honest work, and at an early age Ham made his way
into the theater. His work has been called "the quintessential example of modern
British stagemanship." Arthur E. Faxe has taken an interest in Ham's career to
the point of financing some of Ham's productions. Ham has taken a leave of absence
from his profession to join Faxe at the expedition site.Costume Suggestion: Dramatic attire; black cape, tails, top hat and cane.

ASHLEY R. SONNYSTE
Ashley is a charming and vivacious young English countrywoman. Because of her
father's illness, she has managed the extensive Sonnyste estates - rich agricultural
land and several buildings situated in southern England - for the past few years.
Unfortunately, the estates were destroyed by fire; shortly thereafter, Ashley's
father, Colonel Sonnyste, died. Forced to fend for herself, she came to London
where, by virtue of unwavering determination and the greatest of good fortune
(and insurance proceeds), she has made a place for herself in society. Lady Mellissa
Lynke has become Ashley's close friend, and the two young women impetuously set
out on a world tour. Upon returning to London, they again immediately departed
on a journey to the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. Once there, they joined up with the
Faxe expedition.Costume Suggestion: Elegant English country attire or traveling clothes.

CONRAD IVER
Intellectual, well-educated, aristocratic yet hard-working, and quite clever,
"Con" is Art E. Faxe's right-hand man at the archaeological site. He has participated
in many other expeditions and is the author of several learned works on the subject
of fossils - including the practical guidebook Archaeologically Speaking, It's
the Pits. Educated at Oxford, Con distinguished himself as a scholar and an athlete
who played cricket and soccer internationally for England. Since graduating he
has dabbled in business in London's financial circles, where he has quite a following,
and has traveled extensively. Con is a member of London's most prestigious card
club, the Gribbley, where he is to be found most evenings when he is in town.Costume Suggestion: Khaki outfit, pith helmet, pick, shovel.

Product Information

Product Reviews

We are in the midst of a murder-party-a-month binge and this was our first outing (and the first time I'd hosted a murder party in over 10 years). While any murder party can be fun (what's not to like about getting friends together and eating?), this is one of the better ones in the HTHAM line.

The solution was a little twisted, but you have to have that so that most everyone is a valid suspect. In fact, this game had 7 of the 8 characters with plausible motive and opportunity, which is very very good for a murder party game.

The setting is a little dry (19th century Turkey), but it's still one of the better in this line.

Although full of interesting characters and surrounded by intriguing murder circumstances, this game can and will be the pits if you do not follow the story closely. My friends and I have played many murder mystery games and this remains one of the most loved and most hated. It's kind of complicated. The facts are there if you can follow them. What I did love about it was the way the ending pulled together reasonably, as some of these games are off the wall in their conclusions. The story is fun and imaginitive. Put your thinking caps on and listen closely. My advice: don't over-do it on the wine (as I did) before you play.

Other Resources for How to Host a Murder: It's the Pits:

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